Description
ASHRAE has provided minimum standards for energy efficiency in building construction since the publication of Standard 90 in 1975.
At a minimum, all high-performance buildings should comply with the requirements in ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1. This paper reviews
the building envelope, mechanical, and lighting system requirements for hot-humid climates in the 2013 version of Standard 90.1, and highlights
changes from the previous criteria in the 2010 version. This paper informs attendees about the latest version of ASHRAE/IES Standard
90.1, thereby providing consulting engineers, building owners, governmental representatives, and others with information to update their design
practices and with energy-efficiency requirements to include in national codes and standards.
For the building envelope, Standard 90.1 balances improvements in fenestration criteria to reduce cooling loads with the goal of maintaining
the benefits of daylighting. The chief site planning consideration is window orientation, with the focus on avoiding excessi ve west-facing windows
that contribute to the peak cooling load. For windows, low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) is required, and a minimum visible transmittance
(VT) to SHGC ratio is established to ensure that windows provide adequate daylight even when they are reducing solar gain. For roofs, special
coatings and thicker insulation are required, which will reduce heat gain during peak hours of overhead sun.
For mechanical systems, higher equipment efficiency is now required, as is energy recovery in hot-humid climates for all buildings with 24-
hour operation and for large systems in most all other building types. In addition, the control provisions play an essential role, with requirements
for automatic shutoff, optimum start, and demand control ventilation, so as to minimize unnecessary energy use.
For lighting systems, the control provisions are also a key factor in cooling dominated climates. When sufficient daylight is available, the
lighting is dimmed or turned off by automatic controls so as to minimize heat gain in the space from lighting that contribute s to the peak cooling
load.
Energy efficiency is a cornerstone of ASHRAE's goals to support high-performance buildings. This paper provides the information needed
for consulting engineers and others to keep their designs up-to-date with the latest energy efficiency standards for building construction.
Citation: Developing Economies Conference, 2014
Product Details
- Published:
- 2014
- Number of Pages:
- 9
- File Size:
- 1 file , 1.3 MB
- Product Code(s):
- D-2014EHPB-2
